HUNTER VALLEY

The Hunter Region of Australia, or as its more commonly known the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales beginning approximately 120 km north of Sydney, Australia. The lower Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s most famous wine growing regions, and is a major tourist destination in New South Wales. The Hunter Valley is the sixth most visited place in Australia attracting more than 2.5 million people each year.

The Hunter River and its tributaries occupy this valley south of the Mt. Royal Range. The land in the upper valley is used primarily for livestock grazing, dairying and agriculture. The lower valley is an important economic centre for coal mining and wineries primarily for export. One of the best ways to experience the Hunter Valley region is through our professionally guided Wine and Cheese Tasting Day Tour. 

Newcastle is a good place to base yourself for exploring the Hunter Region as well as the Coast.
Maitland has many interesting historical buildings built in Australia’s early Colonial Period, but also from the Georgian, Victorian and Federation days.

Cessnock is a great place to begin exploring the Hunter Region. The Cessnock Information Centre has plenty of information on what to do, where to go, best wineries to visit, great restaurants, Hunter Valley tours and plenty of choices for activities.
Singleton, in the centre of the Hunter Region and on the river, is home to many wineries including Australia’s oldest surviving winery. Singleton also has a Historical Museum as well as an Infantry Museum worth visiting, and the different wine tours are available take you to some very select wineries in the area.

Hunter Valley known around the world for its great wines, is quickly developing its name as a gourmet paradise also. Cafes and fine dining restaurants can be found throughout the valley. A number of the wineries themselves have award winning restaurants offering delicious fare and fine dining.

Located in the Hunter vineyards at the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges are the spectacular Hunter Valley Gardens. Spanning over 25 hectares, they contain sensational sights, colours and fragrances in the twelve stunning feature gardens. Each garden is an exciting journey through flowers, trees and shrubs with an air of discovery at every turn.

A low maintenance garden, with no obvious beginning or end, modeled on a 17th Century Endo period design. The Oriental Garden is a combination of Chinese, Korean and Japanese cultures. Bask in a lavish array of color and scent found in the Rose Garden, with more than eight thousand roses on display, laze above the 10 meter waterfall and take in the superb views from the lookout or step back in time with all your favourite fairytale characters in the Storybook Garden.

Interested in obtaining more information about some of the Hunter Region’s wineries? You can find more information about some of the Hunter Valley wineries in the section below.

Wineries of the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine growing region and only a short 2 hour drive from Sydney or one hour from Newcastle. With over 100 wineries to choose from there is something to suit everyone. The Hunter Valley is renowned for its Semillon, which has been described as “Australia’s unique gift to the world”. There are also Shiraz, Chardonnays, Verdelhos and a host of other varieties. Why not experience the Hunter Valley region yourself through our guided Wine and Cheese Tasting Day Tour.

Here is a sample listing of wineries in the Hunter Valley. There are a great many more wineries and it is easy to explore the Hunter Valley to find your favourite.

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard – First planted in 1866, this site is widely regarded at the first wine vineyard in the Pokolbin area. Boasting spectacular views across the Hunter Valley, the Vineyard’s reconstruction was completed in 1999. Wines are styled on tradition and enhanced by the characters of the Oakdale vineyards.

Bimbadgen Estate – Architecturally unique, Bimbadgen Estate has a modern cellar door and excellent restaurant. The bell tower at Bimbadgen Estate is something of a landmark in the Hunter region. Bimbadgen Estate has state of the art methods and produces traditional Hunter Valley wines such as Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernets.

Brokenwood Wines – Established in 1970, this famous winery has developed over the years and now produces multiple award winning Shiraz and Semillons.

Drayton’s Family Wines – A family-owned and run winery established 140 years ago. The winery is named Bellevue after its historic homestead, the winery also includes an outside barbecue area and a playground for children.

Ernest Hill Wines – A boutique winery that grows its grapes and names its wines after areas on the vineyard and members of the family. Production commenced making the Cyril Semillon and the Alexander Chardonnay in 2002, and added a verdelho, gewurztraminer and shiraz to the range in 2003. In the 2004 vintage a late picked Semillon was added and has also been expanded to include two Merlots a reserve Shiraz and a Moscato style dessert wine.

Iron Gate Estate – A boutique winery which exudes the ambience of southern Spain or Tuscany, and fascinating tours of the wine production facilities. The winery incorporates the latest technology in wine making and produces a mix of wines produced from grapes grown in its own vineyard and picked by hand including classic Hunter Semillon, Verdelho, Unwooded and Wooded Chardonnay, Shiraz AO and the sweet Shiraz.

McGuigan Cellars – McGuigan’s is the home of McGuigan Fine Wines, Hunter Valley Cheese Company and Chocolate and Fudge Shop. Part of the Hunter wine industry for over 50 years, McGuigans offers an extensive winery and cellar door.

McWilliams Mount Pleasant Estate – McWilliams is the largest wholly Australian owned family wine company in Australia. Mount Pleasant was founded in 1921 by Maurice O’Shea, who was regarded as one of the great winemakers of Australia. The winery has a tasting room, bar and lounge overlooking the vineyards. Elizabeth’s Cafe serves meals during the day.

Pepper Tree Wines – Nestled in the heart of wine country at the center of the Pepper Tree wine complex. One of the most awarded small wineries, the cellar door adjoins the winery and the beautiful grounds and gardens of Pepper Tree. Roberts Restaurant is also adjoins the Pepper Tree Winery.

Pokolbin Estate – One of the smallest old wineries in the Hunter, this estate has a tasting room in a 114-year-old sandstone cottage. As one of the smallest producers of hand made boutique wines all grown on the Pokolbin Estate vineyards, wines are not available in shops, restaurants or overseas.

Savannah Estate – produces wines from small select parcels of premium fruit that reflect the character of the region. Savannah is the granddaughter of the renowned Petersons Family and carries on the tradition with award winning sparkling wines and great varieties.
Roche Estate – The winery complex incorporates a state of the art boutique winery, world class Cellar Door and tasting rooms with a sophisticated Espresso Lounge. Over recent years the winery has played host to some of the world’s leading performing artists with spectacular outdoor concerts.

Tower Estate Wines – The Hunter Valley’s newest boutique winery. The philosophy of this winery is to product outstanding wines of classic style. Created by Len Evans, this winery produces Semillon, Verdelho, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wyndham Estate – Established in 1828 and is the only vineyard situated on the banks of the Hunter River. The winery boasts of limited release Show Reserve Wines and Bin Range Wines. Wyndham has a licensed restaurant open 12 noon to 3pm daily, and a barbecue area for visitors by the Hunter River. Wyndham Estate hosts popular events such as Seasonal Lunches, Opera in the Vineyards and Vintage Jazz Festival.

Please note, the wineries listed above are for informational purposes only, our day tours do not visit all of the wineries in the Hunter Valley. We also offer Private Charters which can be tailored to your particular requirements.